Scotland’s first dedicated advice centre for older people to open in Falkirk

Deborah Punshon

Scotland’s first dedicated advice centre for older people will open in Falkirk this month.

The Later Life Information Centre will provide impartial general and legal advice for seniors looking for help with everything from tax rebates to making a will.

The one-stop-shop is a joint venture between the charity Age Scotland and Solicitors for Older Poeple Scotland (SOPS), a collaboration of 35 legal firms.

David Borrowman, senior partner, said: “We started SOPS a couple of years ago to take the fear factor out of coming for legal advice among older people.

“We work with Age Scotland on several projects and the idea behind the information centre was to provide a friendly place where older people could get all kinds of advice.

“I’m thrilled this centre is opening in Falkirk. It’ll provide general advice on things such as health and wellbeing, but also legal advice.

“We have found that if older people come to terms with the decisions that have to be made, it’s better for them and their families.

“Then they can get on with enjoying life, knowing they are in a better position for the future.”

The new centre will soon be opening its doors in Upper Newmarket Street, and, if successful, others could follow throughout the country.

Brian Sloan, chief executive of Age Scotland, said: “Our work has shown that providing the human point of contact, whether at the end of a phone or in person, is a service that older people really appreciate.

“This centre will provide older people from Falkirk and the surrounding area with a great space to access impartial information to help them with all aspects of later life. We’re really excited to be opening this centre and thank our colleagues from SOPS for helping us create this valuable resource.”